Experienced advocate to represent KU in Washington

LAWRENCE – Jack Cline, who has worked in higher education and for several political leaders, is joining the University of Kansas as director of federal relations.

Cline has served as assistant vice president for federal relations for the University of Massachusetts since February 2007. He will join KU on Jan. 30 and be based in Washington, D.C.

“Jack Cline brings a wide range of experience, having worked for governors, on Capitol Hill and as an advocate for higher education. He will serve as our ambassador in Washington, helping KU faculty, staff and students work successfully with policymakers and area industry leaders,” said Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little.

Cline holds two leadership positions with the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. He serves on the APLU Council of Governmental Affairs Executive Committee and chairs the group’s Budget Task Force.

Prior to his work with UMass, Cline served as executive director of gubernatorial appointments and personnel for then-Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. He also served in the administration of Massachusetts Gov. Paul Cellucci and on the professional staff for Congressman John Boehner when Boehner chaired the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

“It's an exciting time in Washington. I am honored to represent the state’s flagship university and work closely with the Kansas congressional delegation. My focus will be to illuminate the chancellor's priorities every day on Capitol Hill, and my door will always be open to the KU community,” said Cline.

During his time with the UMass system, Cline was responsible for establishing its office in Washington. A range of leading research universities currently maintain physical presences in Washington.

“By being based in Washington, Jack will enable KU to be part of the daily policy discussions in the nation’s capital. This will provide new opportunities for our faculty and new prominence with policymakers for our university,” said Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Tim Caboni.

Cline is a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve. During previous military service in the U.S. Marine Corps, he served as sergeant of Marines in the White House Military Office, providing security and advance for Marine One on presidential missions. He was also an assistant platoon sergeant and later a civil affairs non-commissioned officer in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Cline has a bachelor of liberal arts, with a concentration in history, from Harvard University.

Cline will report to Caboni in the Office of Public Affairs. The position had been vacant since May 2011.

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for
KU's Lawrence campus.